SUPERVISOR WIENER’S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR BROWN’S SIGNING OF SENATE BILL 7 TO REQUIRE WATER SUBMETERING IN NEW BUILDINGS

Posted on September 26, 2016

SB 7, authored by Senator Lois Wolk, requires water submeters to be installed in new developments. Supervisor Wiener has a pending local measure to do the same

San Francisco – Today Supervisor Scott Wiener made the following statement today regarding the news that Governor Jerry Brown has signed California Senate Bill 7, which requires water submeters in new developments throughout California. Supervisor Wiener had proposed a similar bill at the local level, which he is now likely to table, pending review.

“I want to thank Governor Brown and the California Legislature for approving this important bill to improve water conservation in California. In particular, Senator Lois Wolk should be commended for her commitment and years of work to get SB 7 approved. Requiring water submeters in our buildings gives residents essential information on how much water they are personally consuming, just as it does with electricity. This improves personal efforts to conserve water, which we all need to focus on to improve our response to this current drought, and the droughts to come. This is an important step to changing how California, where we need to continue to address how we think about, use, and conserve water.”

Supervisor Wiener had introduced an ordinance earlier this year that requires all new multi-unit developments to install water submeters for each unit. It also sets rules and regulations for how property owners would be allowed to bill tenants for water. SB 7 supersedes the need for this bill at the local level and Supervisor Wiener will table his local bill after a final review.